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Australia – Changes to fees for IP matters
IP Australia has just announced some changes to the official fees for patents, trade marks, designs and plant breeder’s rights, which will come into effect on 1 October 2024. Inter alia, the filing fees for patents and plant breeder’s rights will increase, trade mark filing fees will remain unchanged, and designs filing fees will decrease.
Argentina - Patent applicants required to confirm ongoing interest in applications
A resolution was published in Argentina on 26 August 2024 which requires that, within 60 calendar days from notification in the Patent Bulletin, applicants with pending patent applications in Argentina must make an express statement as to whether or not the priority claimed has been granted in the country of origin.
El Salvador - New IP law approved
El Salvador’s Legislative Assembly has passed a new Intellectual Property Law, consolidating previous legislation and creating the Salvadoran Institute of Intellectual Property (IPSI) to oversee IP rights and dispute resolution.
Rwanda - New IP law in force
A new Law on the Protection of Intellectual Property was published in Rwanda on 31 July 2024 and came into force on the same day. The Law paves the way for a more streamlined approach for the filing of patent and trade mark applications, as well as clarifying aspects of their prosecution and registrability.
Myanmar – New patent law finally in force
Myanmar’s long-awaited Patent Law 2019 came into effect on 31 May 2024. While the Patent Registry has not yet confirmed the application process, inventors should start preparing their filings to take advantage of the new protections.
Qatar - Legalisation requirements for Powers of Attorney
An official circular was issued by the Qatari Intellectual Property Department on 25 June 2024, outlining changes to the requirements for Powers of Attorney (POA) for IP matters
Qatar – Patent annuity payments
Qatar has introduced a new policy requiring that 4th and subsequent patent annuities can only be paid after the grant decision is issued. Accumulated back annuities must be settled along with the grant fee, with future payments due annually on the filing anniversary.
Bahrain & China launch Patent Prosecution Highway Pilot Program
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC) of Bahrain and the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) have launched a 5-year Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) pilot program, effective 1 May 2024. This program allows applicants to expedite patent examination based on positive rulings from either office.
ARIPO & China launch Patent Prosecution Highway Pilot Program
ARIPO and the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) have introduced a 5-year Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) pilot program, effective 8 June 2024. This initiative allows for accelerated examination of patent applications with previously accepted claims in either jurisdiction.
Laos – Validation of European patents
Laos has become a validation state of the European Patent Office, joining countries like Morocco, Moldova, Tunisia, Cambodia, and Georgia. This move provides streamlined market access for European patent holders and extends the benefits of the European patent system to Laotian innovators.
United Kingdom – Tightening the rules on rights of representation at the UKIPO
All new UK applications for patents, trade marks or designs must appoint an address for service in the UK, Gibraltar or the Channel Islands. Since 01 January 2024, all comparable trade marks and re-registered designs derived from EU rights post-Brexit must have a UK address for service to respond to challenges filed by third parties.
Saudi Arabia - Amendments to Patent & Industrial Designs Law
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Council of Ministers has approved an amended Patent and Industrial Design Law, which entered into force on 03 October 2023. Our article addresses a number of the key points of this new law, for your convenience.
Joining the world stage for patents – Jamaica and the PCT
Following the approval of Jamaica’s Patents & Designs Act 2020, and becoming the 154th PCT member state, we take a look at the state of PCT national phase prosecution in Jamaica three years on.
Myanmar – Design and Copyright Laws
The Industrial Design Law and Copyright Law, which were both enacted in 2019, finally came into force on 31 October 2023. This development follows the coming into effect of a new Trade Mark Law earlier this year and the Grand Opening of the Intellectual Property Office on 26 April 2023.